Global Connections

Kilvington’s Global Connections Program is now one of the School’s Flagship Programs. Preparing our students with the skills to thrive in a highly connected world is a major focus at Kilvington.

The design of our Global Connections Program is to foster intercultural understanding, which is essential to develop students who are responsible local and global citizens. Through the immersion in another culture, students not only extend their language skills but also experience the fluid nature of culture – its challenges, moments of inspiration and its diversity.

Students develop a deepened appreciation and mutual respect for both our commonalities and our differences. The nurturing of these attributes and skills equips students to be confident, creative and vital participants in an interconnected world.

As part of this program, Kilvington has developed strong partnerships with internationally-based schools.

Students have the opportunity to travel to our sister schools as part of a study, cultural or sporting tour, as well as hosting students from these schools as well.

FRANCE

Partnership with Saint-Joseph La Salle – connected since 2016

Programs include:

Language Study Tours

Individual Exchanges

Penfriends Project

Junior French Club

Teacher Professional Development

2017 Study Tour

Student Reflection:

Paris

We began our journey in the capital of France and ‘the city of love’, Paris. With beautiful architecture and a bustling culture, Paris seemed magnificent to our Australian eyes. Before we knew it, the time had come to board the train towards the south of France, to our new home town, Toulouse.

Toulouse Homestays

Each individual’s experience with their host families was very different. Some vacated to the incredible beaches of Nice and Biarritz while other students visited the breathtaking grandeur of the Pyrénées, some venturing into Spain.

Living together and noticing our similarities and differences – in personalities, learning styles, lifestyle and culture – brought us closer in a way we could not have comprehended. Each individual family was incredibly different, introducing us to their ways of life and the ways to enjoy it.

We were all incredibly lucky to have the opportunity to go to these stunning places and be cared for by our beautiful French families. We take away strong connections, deeply improved language skills and a grasp on different cultural experiences. We are incredibly grateful for our host families who cared and so beautifully welcomed us into their world.

Eliza Wallis Year 10

JAPAN

Partnership with Hiroshima Jogakuin Junior High School – connected since 2002

Programs include:

Language Study Tours

Individual Exchanges

Penfriends Project

Teacher Professional Development

Japanese Study Tour 2017

Student Reflection:

Hiroshima

Murmurs of ‘I wonder what my host family will be like?’ and ‘how am I going to survive with my limited Japanese?!’ filled the carriage as it ricocheted towards Hiroshima. However, this unease dissipated instantly upon meeting our new families, who were wonderfully warm and welcoming.

Arriving at our new homes, our experiences over the next few days differed greatly. Some of us had the opportunity to view grand structures, such as Hiroshima Castle or Kintaikyo Bridge, whilst others took the chance to explore the expanse of the bustling city. Despite the variance in activity, we all came away with wonderful stories to tell!

Before we knew it, our time in Hiroshima came to an end.

Kyoto

After checking into the ‘ryokan’ (traditional Japanese inn), we visited an abundance of beautiful temples and museums. However, the surprising highlight of Kyoto turned out to be karaoke! We thoroughly enjoyed this experience!

Ogaki

The next few days of the trip were spent in the countryside of Ogaki, so vastly different to the bustling streets of Hiroshima and Kyoto.

Here we had the privilege of wearing the culturally significant and representative attire of kimono. We visited the picturesque Ogaki Castle, and were also fortunate enough to meet the mayor of Ogaki, from whom we learned more about the city.

Tokyo

Overarching skyscrapers and neon lights punctuated the lively streets of Tokyo. Here we visited a myriad of famous sights, including the heights of the towering Tokyo Skytree and the crowded Shibuya crossing. Along with our host siblings, we also had the privilege of going to Tokyo Disney Sea, a longtime dream for many of us!

We feel exceptionally lucky to have met and stayed with such warm, kind and accommodating people, people from whom we learnt much. We will remember this experience for a long time to come.

Gabby Lim – Year 10

Partnership with Todoroki High School – connected since 2007

Programs include:

Language Study Tours

Penfriends Project

Teacher Professional Development

Partnership with Seiryou High School – connected since 1997

Programs include:

Language Study Tours

Teacher Professional Development

CHINA

Partnership with West Yan’an Middle School in Shanghai – connected since 2015

Programs include:

Cultural Study Tours

Teacher Professional Development

INDONESIA

Partnership with Global Jaya School – connected since 2013

Programs include:

Cultural Study Tours

Collaborative ‘Looking out the window’ Blog

International Book Club

AISAC Sport Program

Teacher Professional Development

Asian and Pacific International Sporting Activities Conference

Girls Soccer Teams

Boys Soccer Teams

Girls Soccer

Boys Soccer

Boys Volleyball Teams

Girls Volleyball Teams

Kilvington receiving the winner's trophy

The Students and Staff

Table Tennis Competition

In September 2016, 23 Kilvington students competed against 18 students from Global Jaya School from Jakarta, Indonesia, for the inaugural AISAC Shield (Asian and Pacific International Sporting Activities Conference). This involved the students competing against each other in 5 sports: Soccer, Volleyball, Basketball, Table Tennis and Ten Pin Bowling, with points being scored by the winning male and female team.

The World Challenge

Senior School students have the opportunity to participate in World Challenge activities.

In order to attend, students have to raise the majority of the funds themselves and most of the trip is student-led. Activities include living in a remote village and working with the local community on projects such as building facilities for local schools and churches.

They will also participate in treks, local adventures and cultural activities.

This program helps develop student leadership, teamwork and decision-making skills, and contributes to a global perspective of the world around them.